Decalcomania



DECALCOMANIA Original Filed Dec. 29, 1958' 2 Sheets-Sheet l SePtr2` 1941- F. W. HUMPHNER 2,254,428

DECI-.ICOMANIA Original Filed Dec. '29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 'I I y fm/Urin? I A Zar zza?" fq 7/527 we I ggper @ver jgg7-l ZZZMJ l Patented Sept. 2, 1941 DECALCOMANIA Ferdinand W. Humphner, Oak Park, Ill., assign'- or to Mid-States Gummed Paper Co., Chicago,

Ill., a corporation of Delaware Original application December 29, 1938, Serial No. 248,324. Divided and this application June 16, 1939, Serial No. 279,553

s claims. (ci. 1 -3s) This invention relates to a decalcomania and more particularly to such a product provided with means for indicating or proving its authenticity or origin. l

This application constitutes a-division of my copending application Serial No. 248,324, filed December 29, 1938, for Decalcomania.

In the use of decalcomania transfers in connection with revenue stamps and like uses, it has become important that each sheet of transfers be provided with means for readily and surely indicatingits authenticity. An object of the present invention: is to4 provide decalcomania products with means whereby the paper base is indicative of origin or authenticity, together with means for modifying the base in appearance when the same is wetted so as to further indicate its origin. A further object is to provide a decalcomania having a transfer body provided with means yfor proving its origin. A further object is' to provide means whereby any part of the transfer or base or attachment means may serve as an indicator for the above purposes. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specication proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanyin conjunction with the paper base for indicating its origin. For example, as will be set out more in detail hereafter, I may employ a colored or tinted paper base, a paper base imprinted on its top surface and normally concealed `by a lacquer layer, a paper base having a water-mark extending therethrough below a transfer, a paper base having thereon or therein colored adhesive or water-soluble material which tends to color the base in a predetermined manner upon a wetting Y'of the base, or I may employ a base consisting of two or more sheets of paper connected by a co1- ored adhesive which colors the paper layers upon the wetting of the decalcomania.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a tinted or colored base is employed-the color or tint being preferably of cated by one not knowing the method of manul facture. Upon the tinted base is applied a watersoluble adhesive, and upon the adhesive is a tinted or opaquelacquer film carrying the imprint. The tinted base itself serves as an identication of the product. Particularly, when the adhesive layer has been `dissolved and the lacquer body removed, the color of the base becomes clearly visible and can be compared with an origi.. nal to establish the identity. As long as the colored lacquer is employed in connection with the colored base, the color of the base is not distinct and the color may vary with the slight differences indepth of vthe colored lacquer. However, upon removal of the transfer, the color of the base is uniform and can be employed as a certain means for proving origin.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2, there is printed upon the tinted paper base, a characterl orother indicia. which becomes visible after removal of the vadhesive and lacquer thereabove. The water-soluble adhesive carries a lacquer layer which may be clear, colored, or opaque, and

upon the lacquer are formed the usuall imprints.

an unusual shade and one which cannot be dupli- After the decalcomania body has been dipped in water to dissolve the adhesive, tne paper base can be examined as to color and as to the imprinting thereon to determine its origin.

-In the modification shown in Fig. 3, tne paper base, which may be tinted if desired, is snown provided with a water mark. Also, imprinting is Iormed on the top of the paper and then coveredA by starch or otiier water-soluble adhesive. A lacquer body, which may be colored or opaque, is provided on its underside with imprinting and on its top side with' the usual stamp or other iniprint. l

.when the decalcoinanla is wetted and the l lacquer body separated from tne paper base and depositen upon a cellophane or glass body, the imprints -on tn e back oi the lacquer layer become visibie and serve to indicate the authenticity of me product. Aiso, tne imprint on tne paper oase serves in comunction with tne water mark to' 'indicate tne origin 'oi' tne paper.

. 1n the modification shown in Figs. fi, 5 and 6, I employ a water-somme coloring material which changes the color of the basto afpredetermined dissolves and enters the paper base, giving it a distinctive color.

In Fig. 5, there are two strips of paper connected by colored adhesive, the topmost paper carrying an identifying imprint thereon. Above the imprint is a layer of adhesive and a layer of lacquer, the lacquer carrying the usual imprint. Wetting of the body causes the colored adhesive between the two paper layers to change the color of both strips of paper, thus indicating the origin of the paper.

In the illustration in Fig. 6, there are three strips of paper, the outermost paper strips being preferably of good quality and the innermost paper strips being preferably of a cheaper grade.

4 The three sheets are connected by layers of colf ored adhesive and the topmost paper strip carries adhesive and thereon an imprint. When the decalcomania is moistened. the colored adhesive', layers enter the paper strips and give themav distinctive color. l

Inpthe modification shown in Fig.7, the lWater,- marked paper base carries a layer of adhesive and'thereabove two differently colored layers with an imprint on the topmost lacquer film.V The two layers of coloredlacquer are preferably of different colors and so balanced in color as to give one shade when, resting upon theJ adhesive layer and paper base, vas shown in Fig.` 7. However, when the two lacquer layers are separated from the paper base and applied to Cellophane or the like, the light rays passing through the two lacquer layers give them adiiferent and to dissolve the beta naphthol, it is preferably first mixed withpotassium hydroxide and then dissolved in alcohol.

In order to test the above fixed indicator in the adhesive or starch coating or paper, I use a small amount of a dye salt dissolved in alcohol. If the fixed indicator is added to the lacquer, I test it by adding thereto a small amount of dye salt dissolved in equal parts of alcohol and acetone. 'I'he acetone dissolves the lacquer and thus enables the dye salt to be brought into contact with the xed indicator.

Instead of beta naphthol, naphthol A. S. may be used. There are a large number of indicators known tol the trade which may be employed if desired.

'I'he foregoing detailed description has been given for cleamess of understanding only, and, no unnecessary .limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should bev construed as broadly as permissible, in view ofY the prior art.

distinctive shade. In this manner, the transfers jf" y are indicated as of a certain origin. In the modification shown in Fig. l8, there is a paper base which is tinted pink. The" base is covered with a starch layer and an adhesive layer over the starch. The imprint is on top` of the adhesive. In this construction, the starch may be of color contrasting with the pink base.

While in the foregoing figures,I have shown certain arrangements thereinwith certaindistinctive features in each, it will be understood that such features may be combined in a great many modieations which are not illustrated herein. be provided with a water mark or an imprint thereabove. Any of the modifications may be provided with imprint on the base of the lacquer film. Any of the modications may be provided withtinted bases contrasting with tinted lacquer layers. Any of themodiications maybe` provided with various types of water-soluble co1- o'red adhesive for changing the color of the paper, etc. Any'of the modifications may be provided with colored lacquer films combined and in many cases the lacquer film may be omitted and the imprint made directly on the adhesive layer. i

`In addition to the above. chemical indicators may be used in the 'paper adhesive, lacquer,

starch coating, etc. By way of example, beta.

naphthol, dissolved in alcohol, may be used in the glue or starch coating, the lacquer or both. It may also be usedin the paper base. In order For example, any of the products may 1"" l. A decalcomania product'comprising: a paper 'base having' an imprint thereon, an adhesive layer over said' imprint, 'a transfer body over said adhesive, and imprints on said body, said imprint on said paper being normally concealed by the adhesive and body layers thereof. v

2. A decalcomania product comprising: a

tinted paper base having a top imprint, adhsive thereon concealing said imprint, a lacquer substantially opaque layer over said adhesive, im-

printing on the lower side of saidI lacquerbody, and an imprint on the top side of said lacquer body.

3. A decalcomania product comprising: a paper base having water marks therein, imprinting over said water marks, adhesive over said imprinting, a lacquer layer over said adhesive, and imprinting on said lacquer, said water marks and the imprinting thereon being normally concealed by the adhesive and lacquer layers.

4. A decalcomania product comprising: a paper base having an imprint thereon, an adhesive layer over said imprint, a transfer body over said adhesive, said'imprint on said paper being normally concealed by the said adhesive and body layers.

5. A decalcomania product comprising: a paper base having water marks therein, imprinting over said water marks, adhesive over said imprinting I and a transfer body over said adhesive, said water mark on said paper being normally concealed by the said 'adhesive and transfer layers. 4

6. A decalcomania product adapted to be readily identifled at the time of use comprising: a paper base having. an imprint thereon,A an adhesive layer over said imprint, a transfer body over said adhesive, said adhesive and said transfer body being sufficiently opaque to normally conceal said imprint whereby. the same is invisible until the paper base andthe transfer'body are separated, and an imprint on the top of said transfer body. D

FERDINAND W. HUMPHNER. 

